Winter 2011 graduates celebrated after the commencement ceremony with a reception at the Samson Student Center. Photo by Jesse Lee.

December 12, 2011

“I left my comfortable job as an accountant because I wanted to make a difference for the people in my country,” said student commencement speaker Rawan Bannoura (MPA ’11) from Bethlehem, Palestine, at the 2011 Monterey Institute Winter Commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 10. With her new Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Rawan has the skill set and training she needs to fulfill her dream of starting a non-profit organization and truly “be the solution.”

Assemblyman and former Monterey Institute professor Bill Monning gave the commencement address and told graduates how vital their skills and knowledge are in the increasingly challenging and ever-changing global environment.

Family and friends of the 88 students from 16 countries who graduated filled the venue at the Monterey Conference Center to capacity. Joy and laughter could be heard from the Monterey campus on Saturday afternoon, where people gathered for a celebratory reception after the ceremony. There was even a flash mob of happy dancers!